Why Gen Z Is Flocking to Church (But We're Still Losing Them at 25)

Plot twist: we're not actually losing Gen Z at 25. In fact, they're showing up to church more than any generation has in decades. If that doesn't make you want to break out in a spontaneous rendition of "Joy to the World," I don't know what will.

While everyone's been wringing their hands about young people abandoning faith, Gen Z has been quietly revolutionizing what it means to be a churchgoer. They're attending services 1.9 weekends per month: that's nearly twice a month, folks. Compare that to baby boomers at 1.4 times monthly, and suddenly Grandma's complaints about "kids these days" start sounding a little hollow.

This Christmas season feels different when you realize that the shepherds watching their flocks by night might actually be 23-year-olds with TikTok accounts and student loans. And honestly? That's exactly what the church needed.

The Great Attendance Reversal

Remember when pastors used to joke that the only time they saw young people was Christmas and Easter? Those days are officially over. Since 2020, Gen Z and millennial church attendance has nearly doubled. That's not a typo: doubled.

The numbers don't lie: Gen Z (ages 18-28) is logging about 23 church visits annually, while millennials (ages 29-44) are hitting 22. Meanwhile, the generations we thought were the "faithful pillars" are showing up less frequently than a snow day in Memphis.

What's driving this unprecedented surge? It's not guilt, tradition, or because their parents made them. Gen Z is choosing church because they're hungry for something real in a world that often feels fake.

Why Gen Z is Actually Showing Up

They're Trauma-Informed Believers

This generation grew up with 9/11, school shootings, economic uncertainty, and a global pandemic. They've seen enough brokenness to recognize they need something bigger than themselves. When Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened" (Matthew 11:28), He might as well have been speaking directly to Gen Z.

Unlike previous generations who might have attended church out of social obligation, Gen Z shows up because they genuinely need hope. They're not looking for a country club with a cross on top: they want authentic community and real transformation.

They're Digital Natives Craving Real Connection

Here's the beautiful irony: the generation that grew up online is the one most desperately seeking face-to-face community. After years of Instagram highlight reels and Zoom fatigue, sitting in a pew next to actual humans feels revolutionary.

Gen Z doesn't want to put on a Sunday morning performance. They want to bring their whole selves: anxiety, questions, messy faith, and all: into a space that says, "You belong here." Churches that create this kind of environment are seeing unprecedented growth among young adults.

The Christmas Factor: Why This Season Matters More Than Ever

This Christmas, as we celebrate the ultimate story of God showing up in unexpected ways, Gen Z's church attendance surge feels particularly meaningful. Just like the wise men traveled from far countries to worship a baby king, young adults are traveling across cities (and sometimes states) to find churches that feel like home.

The Christmas narrative resonates with Gen Z because it's fundamentally about God entering into a broken world to bring hope. That's exactly what this generation is looking for: not escape from reality, but hope within it.

Churches that understand this are thriving. They're not trying to make faith "cool" or "relevant": they're simply being authentic about both the beauty and the struggle of following Jesus.

Three Game-Changing Strategies for Churches and Families

1. Create Space for Questions, Not Just Answers

Gen Z doesn't need you to have everything figured out. They need you to be honest about the questions. In your family devotions this Christmas, try starting with "What questions do you have about faith?" instead of "Here's what you should believe." Churches that create Q&A sessions, doubt-friendly small groups, and honest teaching about difficult topics are seeing explosive growth among young adults.

The manger wasn't a place of certainty: it was a place of wonder and questions. Mary pondered things in her heart. The shepherds returned "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20), but I bet they also had questions about what it all meant.

2. Build Community Beyond Sunday Morning

Gen Z doesn't just want to attend church; they want to belong to a church family. This means creating opportunities for connection throughout the week. Whether it's serving together at local nonprofits, hosting game nights, or organizing volunteer trips, young adults are looking for churches that feel more like extended family than religious institutions.

During this Christmas season, consider hosting events that bring people together in casual settings. Sometimes the most meaningful faith conversations happen over hot chocolate and Christmas cookies, not during formal worship services.

3. Lead with Service, Not Sermons

Gen Z is passionately committed to social justice and making a difference in the world. They're drawn to churches that roll up their sleeves and serve the community, not just talk about it. This Christmas, organize toy drives, serve at homeless shelters, or adopt families in need. Young adults want to follow a Jesus who fed the hungry and cared for the marginalized.

When churches lead with service, they demonstrate the gospel instead of just explaining it. Gen Z responds to this authenticity because it aligns with their deepest values.

The Men Are Coming Back Too

Here's an unexpected plot twist: Gen Z and millennial men are driving much of this church attendance surge. In 2025, 46% of Gen Z men attended church in the past week, compared to 44% of Gen Z women. This represents the largest gender gap in weekly church attendance in 25 years.

Why are young men returning to church? Many are hungry for positive male role models and communities that help them become better husbands, fathers, and leaders. Churches that offer mentorship programs, men's groups focused on character development, and opportunities to serve in meaningful ways are seeing remarkable growth among young men.

The Digital Connection Factor

Smart churches aren't competing with social media: they're using it strategically. Gen Z expects engagement throughout the week, not just on Sunday mornings. Churches that leverage texting, social media, and digital platforms to maintain relationships and provide ongoing spiritual content are seeing higher retention rates.

This doesn't mean churches need to become entertainment centers. It means they need to understand that for Gen Z, digital and physical community aren't separate things: they're integrated parts of a larger relationship.

What This Means for Church Leaders

If you're a pastor, youth leader, or church volunteer wondering how to connect with Gen Z, the answer isn't complicated: be authentic, create space for questions, and focus on real community over polished programs.

Gen Z can spot inauthenicity from a mile away. They're not looking for churches that try to be trendy: they're looking for churches that are genuinely committed to following Jesus in practical, everyday ways.

This Christmas season, remember that the story we celebrate is fundamentally about God choosing to show up in the most unexpected way possible. Gen Z's return to church is just as unexpected: and just as beautiful.

Your Next Step

Whether you're a church leader trying to understand this generational shift or a young adult still figuring out what faith looks like in your life, you don't have to navigate this journey alone.

If you're ready to dive deeper into faith-based leadership and community building, I'd love to connect with you. Visit laynemcdonald.com for resources on authentic Christian leadership, or connect with our church community at famemphis.org/connect.

This Christmas, as we celebrate God's greatest gift to humanity, let's also celebrate the unexpected gift of a generation that's choosing hope over cynicism and community over isolation. The best is yet to come.